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The Italian Game

The Italian Game starts with 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4. The Italian Game develops quickly and aims at the center.

The Italian Game

White plays e4, Nf3, and Bc4. Black plays e5, Nc6, and Bc5. Both sides have developed two pieces.

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 r n b q k b n r 8
7 p p p p p p p p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P P P P P 2
1 R N B Q K B N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Castle next

White castles. The king is safe on g1 and the rook on f1 is in play.

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 r n b q k b n r 8
7 p p p p p p p p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P P P P P 2
1 R N B Q K B N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Build the center

White plays c3 and then d4. The pawn on d4 challenges the center and opens lines for the pieces.

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 r n b q k b n r 8
7 p p p p p p p p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P P P P P 2
1 R N B Q K B N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • The Italian Game begins with a central pawn move, a knight move, and a bishop move.
  • The bishop on c4 aims at f7, a weak square for Black in the opening.
  • White usually castles next. Castling brings the king to safety and the rook into play.
  • White often plays c3 and d4 next. Those pawn moves build a strong center.
  • The Italian Game is a good first opening, because it follows every opening principle.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

What are the first three White moves of the Italian Game?